02/12/03

People we talked with say they are glad they may get to vote on the flag, but advise voters to think it over carefully. More >>

Georgia could be getting a new state flag, again. The Senate Rules Committee okayed the design today, but over the objection of some African-American lawmakers, Southern heritage supporters, and flag experts. It's hard to say what voters would decide, because everyone has his or her own opinion. But the new design pictured here at the top could be flying in Georgia by next week.

"I think there's a little over-emphasis on it, but that's a nice design, the new one," said Claire McKay of Richmond Hill.

Savannahian Tamesha Mason told us, "It would be a combination of the two, so they're preserving their history, but they're also showing respect and contributing to the new flag, so I think they should do away with both old flags and go with the new flag."

But some like the one with the replica of the Confederate battle flag.

"I like the one with the X," said Chad Blackwell of Statesboro. "That's the way it has always been: a part of our history."

Any change will be costly. The state says replacing the flag on every government building and school will cost about $280,000. Some say that's reason enough to keep the one we have.

"In my opinion, we've got some bigger fish to fry than making such a big issue about the flag," said Stanley Mosely of Savannah.

For some people, changing the state flag is not about personal choice or even politics, it's about business.

"I have no idea what we're going to do with all the Georgia 2001 flags," said Stephanie Miles of Coastal Canvas. she has more than 40 of them. They're not selling and another new flag will not help.

"My guess is we're going to hang on to them, because if they vote them back in, we're going to need them at some point," she said.

The full Senate votes on the proposed new flag design next Tuesday. If it passes, the flag will be changed immediately, but voters will still have to approve it in March. If they don't, they'll choose from the two alternate flags in July 2004.

Emergency crews are responding to a fire at a Walterboro gas station Wednesday night. (Source: Wendy Bryant)

Emergency crews are responding to a fire at a Walterboro gas station Wednesday night. (Source: Wendy Bryant)

Emergency crews are responding to a fire at a Walterboro gas station Wednesday night. It's at the Murphy USA gas station on 2100 Bells Highway near the Walmart. Copyright 2018 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Emergency crews are responding to a fire at a Walterboro gas station Wednesday night. It's at the Murphy USA gas station on 2100 Bells Highway near the Walmart. Copyright 2018 WCSC. All rights reserved.